BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Fish Journal - BETTAS ONLY

Yeah, I have to say we do have some very good "tag sales" as we call em. Better yet.."flea markets" where everyone gets together with all thier "junk" and you only have to go to one place. Never know what you will find. As they say, "one man's junk is another man's treasure" ! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Will have to drag my daughter around with me on early sat mornings this spring and summer. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Oooo...snow's coming down good now !

Emg :rolling: :beamedup:

I've been giving Sweetie BettaFix every day since I brought her home. She still hasn't regained her color, very deep black stripes are still there, and I'm starting to worry about her. Her tail does appear to have new growth on it, not the perfect bite mark out of it anymore.

I had to change most of their water, there was no way I was going to lug 2 tanks full in my car. I put them on the bathroom counter up against a mirror, and I'm wondering what else I can do. I put a couple of wash cloths between the tanks and the tile counter to try to keep the temperature from fluctuating too much.

My husband doesn't like the noise of the bubblers, so I unplug them at night, then put them back on in the morning. I don't have any external heat source for the tanks right now, other than that they are up against a west facing wall. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Any other suggestions? Sweetie seems seriously unhappy. She does get faint white stripes when she flirts with Pinky, but then they fade out really quickly. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that my cat, Camille, seems to think the tanks are kitty TV. Could that be what's stressing out Sweetie? No cats at work!

Nan...I wonder if the change in water from what is available at work...and what comes out of your tap at home..could have something to do with it. I don't know how long it takes a fish to adjust to those things, but I bet Jilly does.

Is it possible to get a light source over her for warmth? I know when my fish were sick I had my husband's desk light over my fish's bowls and it kept them nice and warm. The only problem there was keeping the temp stable. I had to keep an eye on it pretty regular to make sure it wasn't getting too warm. It really seemed to help them though.

Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Emg, one of the most fun things I do with my mom is going to garage sales (or whatever they are called locally) and flea markets, also thrift stores. We treat it like treasure hunting, and it's very mother-daughter bonding. You and Sara are going to have a great time!

I love the things you can find. Yesterday I found a sweet betta 1 gal tower, totally round and tall, for three dollars at goodwill, and that included gravel, two plants, a filter, stand and cover. I was pleased all day and am thinking my pale yellow boy is going to get this lovely home.

Nan, don't worry about the kitty. I would worry about the heat. A table lamp will go a long way to keeping temps in the high 70's to mid-80s. As long as the temp doesn't fluctuate too much, it's okay. See the thread about betta tank heating experiments; there's LOTS of great ideas.

Also, bettas don't need bubblers at all. You can dismantle the whole thing and leave more room for water. Current tends to disturb these fishies, which are from stagnant rice paddies in the Orient. Warm and still. I have a few bubblers on some of my betta tanks, namely the aquascenes, but I am treating this as an experiment, to see if it disturbs them. The jury is still out, and I am curious how the java moss Emg has added is working out.

I also think Sweetie is unbearably lonely. the bathroom isn't like she's used to, unless your family spends literally hours hanging out there - after all, she is used to watching YOU all day at work. Is the kitchen or living room an option? Especially without the bubbler in the tank? Fishes have more intelligence and curiosity about life than most give them credit for. My Oscar adores me, for example, and gets all mopey when I leave for a trip.

Anyway, I would try to let your little ones be more a part of the family.

I miss the fish also! My work cubicle is not the same anymore. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I'm trying to figure out where else I could put the fish, but the lamp that holds in the most heat is my cat's favorite place, and I can guarantee a splash of major proportions if I put them there. I might try them in the downstairs bathroom, there's lots more company there -- including the dog on rainy days. We don't spend too much time in the kitchen. Ok, so I'm thinking now. I hate the thought of Sweetie being so lonely. Being a blue fish takes on a whole different meaning.

Thanks for the suggestions.

What is Java moss and why would one put it in the tank? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I saw some ads on e-Bay for some leaves to put in the tank, but didn't know if it was worth $3 for 10 leaves.
Nancy

CAn you put Sweety in the livingroom? Also, maybe get a light used at a thrift shop for putting over your little bowl or tank to keep it warm. Don't turn it off at night (put a towel over it if the light bugs you. Or see the thread about heating betta tanks for other ideas. She will do better with some heat and I don't know if a dog is proper company - maybe better than nothing?

Ask Emg about java moss. I don't remember which thread we were discussing that on. Maybe the one about betta products?

Nan....java moss is a plant that is just a bunch of strings really....very green and will grow onto your decorations. It looks very nice and is a very good place for your fry to hide in if you have enough of it in your tank. I think you can see it on my picture of my breeding tank setup at the rate a pic page.. Plants also, from what I read online, carry on them the infusoria that fry need to eat.

Emg :rolling: